Celebrate America in Fountain Park

Hard to believe, but it’s the Fourth of July weekend already! If you are looking for an exciting and appropriate way to celebrate our country’s independence, we have the answer for you right here at home in Van Wert.  With the Fourth of July falling on a Friday this year, we are very fortunate to be one of a very few communities to offer a symphony orchestra on the day of the holiday.  The Lima Pops Orchestra will present an All-American concert entitled “Celebrate America!”

Maestro Crafton Beck will make a return to Fountain Park with a program guaranteed to lift every American citizen’s spirits.  The program is filled with inspirational music from the opening “Star-Spangled Banner” arranged by Zaninelli to the 1812 Overture, complete with everything you may expect.  In between, you will enjoy other patriotic favorites, as well as music that transcends all ages.  Broadway tunes, including selections from the beloved Oklahoma! sung by our own Mary Ann Falk, and movie themes such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Around the World in 80 Days, are just a portion of the show.

There are many communities that would love to have such a celebration concert such as we will have in Van Wert, Boston and Washington, D.C. Invite your friends to Fountain Park and enjoy a beautiful and fun Independence Day celebration. The weather looks like it will be gorgeous and pleasant. Food will be provided in the park by our friends at Youth for Christ.

This is just the pinnacle of the day’s celebrations.  Actually, many activities will highlight our “Holiday at Home” celebration.  From 7-11 a.m., the Veterans of Foreign Wars post is serving a pancake and sausage breakfast at Post 5803, located on North Shannon Street.  There is also the 21st annual Firecracker Bike Tour, which starts at 7:30 a.m., where bikers can experience the rich farmlands of what was once the Great Black Swamp. By 11 a.m. you will want to make your way to Main Street for the annual Independence Day patriotic parade.  Right after the parade, this would be a great opportunity to then take your lawn chairs down to the park for the evening concert. Then, head to the Van Wert County Historical Museum complex, where there will be food vendors (Van Wert Rotary Club, among others), arts, crafts demonstrations and music.  Gather with friends and visitors for a relaxing time.

Food for supper will be available in Fountain Park beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 that evening.  The concert should be over around 9 p.m.  That will give you enough time to leisurely make your way to Smiley Park to enjoy the fireworks display that will begin around dusk (10 p.m. or so).

As you can see, this is truly a Holiday at Home experience you will want to invite your friends to.  It’s all happening right here in Van Wert!  Happy birthday, America!

Seats are beginning to fill up for some of the concerts at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center already.  With the announcement of the new season, NPAC Members have been purchasing seats and now we are selling Grand Series tickets.  This is for people who want everything on the menu.  A very important date coming up is Tuesday, July 8.  This is when the Select Series goes on sale.  You select exactly which concerts you are interested in attending and create your own little package of three or more events.  Three to five events receive a 10 percent discount and six or more receive a 15 percent discount.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to take advantage of this opportunity beginning July 8.  Some of the very “high profile” concerts actually sell out, leaving those wanting single tickets out of luck.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact the box office at 419.238.NPAC (6722.)

Enjoy the weekend and all the festivities as we celebrate America!

FINÉ.